I’ve been thinking a lot about retirement lately. To be honest I’ve been thinking a lot about retirement for years. And years. But I’m really considering it now. What it would mean to us financially, emotionally, as a couple, to me individually. It’s hard not to dream of the freedom that retirement advertises.
But I wonder.
Will it really be freedom? Or will it come with it’s own set of worries and frustrations? Perhaps the grass is greener. But am I sure?
Certainly there are folks in retirement wishing for a good job. One that would ease up the crush of bill paying, make giving gifts easier, allow them to donate to their favorite charities. But there are other retired folks who wake up happy every day choosing how to spend their waking hours. Work in the garden or cook? Take a nap in the middle of the afternoon? Stay up till midnight? Head out on an adventure and visit friends?
I think that’s what I’d want to do first, head out on an adventure. Pack up Katie and come visit some of you, explore a little, relax a little, see a little.
Smile. A lot.
Change Is Hard 
August 15, 2014 at 7:36 am
I think retirement is what ever you want to make of it – there are positives and negatives – but you have those even when working. The really cool thing is though – even though you may retire from banking – there is nothing to stop you from doing some part time work that you really enjoy, volunteering and jut going on adventures. You know I hated being forced into retirement due to health issues and there are days I still miss being around people but then I go and sit on one of my favorite park benches in one of Reilly’s many parks and I listen to the wind in the trees, the birds, feel the sun on my face, breath in the air and pats two soft heads that wait at my feel and realize I am the luckiest person in the world at that moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 16, 2014 at 6:00 am
I know I would enjoy it, not being on such a tight schedule, not putting up with cranky customers, not having to get up so early and work so late. I just wonder about the dynamics of home if we’re both there all day…and of course the loss of income.
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 7:36 am
I think freedom is something you can do while working; perhaps not as much as a retired person, but enough. You can start with small adventures after work to ones a bit longer for the weekend and plan your vacations to be adventurous.
Many are still stuck in retirement, doing the same thing they did while working except more of it.
Change can happen bit by bit. And, don’t wait for right time, make it today.
You may have to give up what you have been doing in your spare time to do new things.
Be free in the time you have now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 16, 2014 at 6:01 am
You have a very good point, to be free right now, regardless of whether or not I retire. It’s hard to do sometimes when you’re caught up in the drama of the moment.
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 7:42 am
Retirement is definitely something to look forward to. In the 5 months when Chris was not working earlier this year we decided that we would both really love it when he retires because we really do love to be with each other. 🙂 That is a good thing.
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:02 am
That’s a really good thing to know ahead of time!
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 7:54 am
Oh boy, do I dream of retirement….but I have a long way to go I think (12 years to get my full pension). Best to retire sooner than later from what I’ve seen.
I’m sure you will have a fun filled retirement! Lots of adventuring 🙂
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:02 am
For sure lots of adventuring!
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 8:41 am
Retirement sounds pawsome. Getting to spend 100% of time with your Sheltie — that sounds wonderful!
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:03 am
Katie would probably vote that I retire.
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 10:23 am
I have said for years that you can have either the money to do things or the time, but the two seem to never come together. Although I live on very little income, I am blessed with generous kids and friends and many adventures are not expensive or are free. Having the leisure to spend most of my days as I wish is absolutely priceless and has given me the freedom to explore new passions, like healthy cooking. Who would have guessed that a confirmed hater of cooking would go that direction?!
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:04 am
I know! You never know what direction life will lead. I keep saying lots of people retire on very little and are perfectly happy. Especially out of the crazy business that you and I were (are) in!
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 10:30 am
Mom is counting down 4 more years
Lily & Edward
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:04 am
I have a calendar at work counting down days…I am hoping for 14 more months…or less if I just take the leap.
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 11:04 am
I don’t have much experience in it, but I expect retirement is what you can make of it. Of course, that will also depend on how financially able you are to spend your free time. But I think you should get started right now on smiling 🙂 And perhaps a small adventure. It’s coming up quickly on the weekend after all!
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:06 am
Weekends are generally good. However this weekend it’s mandatory to spend some of it at work to help us get caught up. Problem is by next Friday we’ll be behind again. The staff has been working ‘mandatory’ every weekend for the majority of the year. This weekend they are demanding mangers come in to ‘show support’ though I don’t think the staff want to see us on weekends. I don’t love working for free and I already donate a fair amount of time before and after normal hours every single day, so I’m not happy.
LikeLike
August 17, 2014 at 12:32 pm
I imagine not 😦 I’m sorry. Will hope for a speedy change for the better!
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Like Reilly’s mom, I hated being forced out. But it has been the best gift ever! In your case though, you’ve been clear for years that your job isn’t where your heart is.
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:06 am
Couldn’t be much more clear, that’s for sure.
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 12:10 pm
I dream of retirement, too, Dawn, but even there I’d have a dilemma — whether to give free rein to my inner farmer or my inner gypsy. The farmer would long to stay at home, working, while the gypsy, obviously, would yearn for the open road. Good news is that the writer in me would be happy with either decision. That’s if the opportunity ever comes.
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:07 am
For me the gypsy will win out. I hope you can retire soon Pamela! Though the community would miss the bookstore.
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 12:31 pm
I’m lucky. This year I went part time. So looking forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 15, 2014 at 1:02 pm
So happy for you Diana!!!!
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 4:13 pm
I keep sharing this link but that is because I think it has some good solid suggestions for living the life we want to live. The link is to their blog. The books are well written, and inexpensive. Cole just has a coaching session with Ryan and thought it was very worthwhile.
http://www.theminimalists.com/about/#the_mins
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:08 am
Good link. I watched a bit of it last night, will explore more later. Does Cole show interest in minimalist living?
LikeLike
August 15, 2014 at 6:46 pm
I’ve been retired for a while, although I guess it’s not really retired since I have no money coming in and really, I quit working because of my health (no, I’m not on disability but I guess I could have been) and because of a temporary move. My husband is still working, and will work for about nine more years (longer if he’s still enjoying his work). I scaled way back on a lot of things, learned to garden and grow some of our food, learned to preserve what I harvested, learned where the good farm markets are so I could pick my own veggies or buy large quantities for good prices, and we don’t seem to miss the money I brought in. I do have to dress in layers during the winter (because I keep the heat turned down) and sweat during the summer (because I keep the air conditioning turned up except at night… gotta draw the line somewhere!), but we still manage to travel occasionally and do a lot of the things we want to do.
I have friends who will probably never retire because they can’t stand the thought of not going off to a job every day, and think they will be bored. I have other friends who have retired and their living it up. As someone else already mentioned, it’s all a matter of what you make of it.
And if you do start traveling around to visit with fellow bloggers, you are always welcome at the Wabi-Sabi Ranch. Even if it’s still a mess around here (the renovations continue slowly but surely).
LikeLike
August 16, 2014 at 6:11 am
“We didn’t miss the money” struck me. I sat and stared at those words a long time. In my case I’m the only bread winner remaining so it’s a bit daunting. Husband is already retired and we have his pension after 38 years of work. And we have some savings and 401’s…the battle is in figuring out how long we will live. But you are right…a person can live on less, learn to make do, learn to enjoy making do actually.
LikeLike